The one that got away -- and Where are they now?

What if Austin Kearns had snared Carlos Lee's liner? What if Luis Ayala had wasted an 0-2 pitch? What if Lastings Milledge could break right on Lance Berkman's ball in the seventh? What if Saul Rivera didn't balk? What if Lance Berkman hadn't gone 5 for 5 -- and stolen two bases?

Things to consider after a 6-5 loss. Homers from Nick Johnson, Aaron Boone and Kearns. Four one-run leads -- all lost.

Ick. I'll leave it at that, and remind you that I have a chat at 2 p.m. (eastern) today, live from somewhere on Westheimer Road in sprawling Houston. (I'd also point out that the notebook has some idle speculation that Jason Bergmann could replace Matt Chico in the rotation on Friday.)

Enough of that. Let's play a little game that we did a few times last year. More than 30 games into the season, it seems about the right time to see how all those former Nationals are doing these days. Not sure this will be completely comprehensive, but I'll try to go from Albaladajo through Wilkerson (leaving out people like Brandon Watson, etc., who are in the minors, or Terrmel Sledge, who's playing in Japan).

Brian Schneider, C, New York Mets (Washington 2005-07, traded with Church to Mets for Milledge): .295/.380/.295, 0 HR, 8 RBI, still looking for an extra-base hit, only Met with higher average is Church, missed time with thumb infection

Chris Snelling, OF, Philadelphia (Washington 2007, traded for OF Ryan Langerhans): .333/.333/1.333, 1 HR, 1 RBI, called up April 13, went on disabled list April 20 with left knee problems (just three at-bats)